Ghostrider One [Hardcover]

Gerry Carroll (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1993

In the heart of the battle of Khe Sanh, one of the Vietnam War's most critical battles, a few proud warriors struggle daily to survive. 50,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This vivid paean to the American fighting man in Vietnam engages all the reader's senses: one can practically see the expertly choreographed catapult launches from an aircraft carrier, smell the stink of unwashed bodies saving precious water during a siege and feel the smashing jolt of a parachute opening after ejection from a ruined airplane. Commander Jim Hogan, an experienced Navy pilot, is suddenly thrust into command as the leader of the Ghostriders, a squadron of intrepid A-4 aircraft. Hogan, his F-4 counterpart Commander Chris Scott, their buddy Marine Corps Major Dick Averitt and Marine Sergeant Major Gorton experience the blood, terror and lethal beauty of the siege of Khe Sanh, a historic moment in the Vietnam War captured by Carroll ( North S*A*R ) in a narrative that converges, as did the various forces involved, from many different directions. Himself a decorated Navy aviator, Carroll creates authentic dialogue rich in military slang; he has less success with his characters, all of whom are well-intentioned and most of whom are noble. But his straightforward plot, enlivened with carefully detailed descriptions and wry humor, will speak directly to those touched by combat experience in Vietnam.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Authentic scenes of aerial combat, land battles, and shipboard support distinguish a businesslike novel about Navy and Marine fliers during Vietnam's Tet Offensive. Sensibly sticking to the serviceable prose of his previous North S.A.R. (1991), decorated Naval aviator Carroll provides plenty of the real-life detail that separates good war stories from technoglitz as he takes a small group of fliers through a few action-filled weeks in l968. Commander Jim Hogan is at the center of things, landing on the American aircraft carrier Shiloh for a hitch as executive officer of squadron of attack bombers just as his injured predecessor is flown out. Hogan discovers within hours that the squadron is badly demoralized after too many months under the command of an unimaginative, risk-averse careerist. His chance to fix things comes sooner than he is ready. The unsatisfactory commanding officer is slated for removal as soon as the Shiloh's top brass see that Hogan, a natural leader and flier, has the right stuff even if he hasn't had the requisite training time for the job. The squadron, grateful for a boss who understands aerial warfare better than bureaucratic battle (which he handles well enough to get his men out of a scrape), quickly shows the commander that they can bomb the daylights out of anything. While Hogan smoothes things over on the carrier, his old chum Major Dick Averitt, a Marine aviator, sticks to the ground at Khe Sanh, where he is supposed to observe and advise the ground troops. But the hitch at the front coincides with the greatest enemy assault of the war, and Averitt has to pick up a rifle and join the rest of the groundpounders to save the base. Just when things look darkest, the clouds start to clear and planes from the Shiloh show up. No hokum, no hyperbole, minimal politics, plenty of action. There's just no substitute for experience. -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 439 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Books; 1ST edition (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671753231
• ISBN-13: 978-0671753238
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,642,027 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book Ever for Airplane Drivers, June 16, 2000

By 

Bill Sterling (Buchanan Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghostrider One (Hardcover)

If you've ever driven airplanes, and especially if you've done so 'in country' then I know how seldom you've been able to read a novel that comes even close to 'taking you back'. I've got some good news - an I got some bad news. The good news is that this particular book is but one of a trilogy. Beginning with "no place to hide" and ending with "North SAR" this book sets itsself between the two. It is incredible in both it's authenticity as well as the character development. The bad news is that Gerry died and there will be no more.

Thank you Sir.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Important Book, November 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghostrider One (Hardcover)

This is a good story, with a brisk pace, authentic action, and realistic characters. As a literary work it is probably only worth 3 and 1/2 stars, at best. But I think its real importance is in how it reflects the military's view of the war through the Tet offensive. Its importance becomes clear about when you compare the overall tone of the book towards the Vietnam war with Stephen Coonts' book Flight of the Intruder. The aviators in that book hold a very different attitude towards the war.

From what I learned during the late 70's and early 80's while working with Naval Officers, both books are authentic, especially in the attitudes reflected by the military. For people who want to understand the Vietnam war and the effect of the civilian leadership on the military during this time, I strongly encourage you to read both books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Jets , pilots, and Navy Carriers, August 10, 2011

By 

Dude1993 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ghostrider One (Hardcover)

Great delivery speed on purchase. Author describes living and working as a navy pilot during the Vietnam war. On attack runs you are almost helping him pilot the aircraft, and also learning what it is like on board the Carrier where he is based. The action is very realistic, and the reader gleans a very remarkable amount of knowledge about the life of pilots going into 'Harm's Way", and the working's of the Navy air commands.